The vanity of being known to be trusted with a secret is generally one of the chief motives to disclose it.

Quote by Samuel Johnson

Topics: Samuel Johnson Quotes

A man seldom thinks with more earnestness of anything than he does of his dinner.

A man seldom thinks with more earnestness of anything than he does of his dinner.

Every reader should remember the diffidence of Socrates, and repair by his candour the injuries...

Every reader should remember the diffidence of Socrates, and repair by his candour the injuries...

The applause of a single human being is of great consequence.

The applause of a single human being is of great consequence.

Pride is seldom delicate; it will please itself with very mean advantages.

Pride is seldom delicate; it will please itself with very mean advantages.

It is reasonable to have perfection in our eye that we may always advance toward...

It is reasonable to have perfection in our eye that we may always advance toward...

Example is always more efficacious than precept.

Example is always more efficacious than precept.

You find no man, at all intellectual, who is willing to leave London. No, Sir,...

You find no man, at all intellectual, who is willing to leave London. No, Sir,...

There are goods so opposed that we cannot seize both, but, by too much prudence,...

There are goods so opposed that we cannot seize both, but, by too much prudence,...

A man ought to read just as inclination leads him, for what he reads as...

A man ought to read just as inclination leads him, for what he reads as...

The future is purchased by the present.

The future is purchased by the present.

Every man is prompted by the love of himself to imagine that he possesses some...

Every man is prompted by the love of himself to imagine that he possesses some...

Controversies merely speculative are of small importance in themselves, however they may have sometimes heated...

Controversies merely speculative are of small importance in themselves, however they may have sometimes heated...

What is easy is seldom excellent.

What is easy is seldom excellent.

Knowledge always desires increase; it is like fire, which must first be kindled by some...

Knowledge always desires increase; it is like fire, which must first be kindled by some...

He that applauds him who does not deserve praise, is endeavoring to deceive the public;...

He that applauds him who does not deserve praise, is endeavoring to deceive the public;...

But the greater, far the greater number of those who rave and rail (against the...

But the greater, far the greater number of those who rave and rail (against the...

It is better to suffer wrong than to do it, and happier to be sometimes...

It is better to suffer wrong than to do it, and happier to be sometimes...

Kindness is in our power, even when fondness is not.

Kindness is in our power, even when fondness is not.

Whether one believes in a religion or not, and whether one believes in rebirth or...

Whether one believes in a religion or not, and whether one believes in rebirth or...

Kind words do not cost much. Yet they accomplish much.

Kind words do not cost much. Yet they accomplish much.